Cutler, Junior Cal Growing by the Day

Well, the latest version of my NPC Junior Cal is but days away, and the good news is that both the numbers of competitors, and the weight of guest poser Jay Cutler, are increasing in numbers.

With entries still coming in the mail (42 in past two weeks alone), and hopefully a large sign-up at the contest event morning, the total could come close to matching the all-time record of 101 (97 showed up) set two years ago.

And, Cutler told me last week he should be around 295 pounds when he steps on the Rosemead High School Auditorium stage Saturday night. Which is good news for those who are in awe of somebody 5’9” carrying around that much beef—and in reasonably good shape to boot!

Not only is the total number of athletes growing by the day, the quality will be terrific, as always. Numerous competitors who have won major titles have signed up, and several more have said they will by game day.

On paper, there looks like there will be terrific battles in all divisions; in Figure, for example, Jenna Boyer, who was sixth in her class at the Nationals (after taking her category at the ‘Cal in 08), is competing. And so is Sunny Daye (class winner at the Orange County in 08, second this season), Jamie DeBernard (C class winner at Max Muscle Naturals this year) and Maria Pernia-Cruz, who won Division D at the Max Muscle.

Anthony Pomponio, the 21-year-old former Whittier College football star who took the Middleweight class at the Max Muscle, has turned in an entry form, and will be tackling the field in the Open, Novice and Collegiate classes. Other standouts officially signed up include Dan (The Hammer) Kammer, Danny Siebert, Michael Bautista and Carmelo (The Vacum) Lopez, to name just a few. Lopez, this year’s Lightweight champion at the ‘Cal, just won the Overall tonight at the Police and Fire Olympics.

For those in the show, be there at 8 am sharp for the competitor’s meeting. Prejudging starts at 11, with the finals set for 6 pm. Plenty of tickets are still available at the box office on Saturday, cash only. But, the good news is there is an ATM at a doughnut shop right across the street. You can go there right after downing a couple Double Double’s at the In ‘N Out Burger opposite the school auditorium.

Damn, this has made me hungry. gotta go make sure the ATM is in working order. All questions regarding the event are answered at www.npcjuniorcal.com. Now, about that éclair.